Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Physical Therapy Education

The push for holistic admissions practices in physical therapy education has evoked concerns that learners who are culturally and linguistically diverse might be less qualified than the predominant demographic traditionally admitted into programs. The implications are that culturally and linguistically diverse learners struggle academically and experience challenges passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. However, as the academic preparedness of learners is discussed, rarely does the conversation include the capabilities of faculty to teach these learners. As cohorts continue to include learners from a greater variety of backgrounds and identities, the largely homogenous professorate, with more than 80% identifying as White, might need training in culturally responsive pedagogy to best serve learners from all backgrounds and identities. Educators often use a "one-size-fits-all" approach in which learners are expected to use the same resources and pace for assignments, readings, and assessments, regardless of their learning strengths or academic preparation. That approach fails to empower educators to design curricula and instruction to position all learners to excel in the classroom. This Perspective explores strategies to support all learners through three dimensions of culturally responsive pedagogy: institutional, personal, and instructional. To truly transform society, we must first transform physical therapy education. Culturally responsive pedagogy advances and supports all student achievement by recognizing, fostering, and using their strengths in the learning environment.